Germans Find Ancient Life That Processed Methane

Science - In Brief

August 9, 2002

BERLIN -- German scientists have discovered micro-organisms deep under the sea that might provide an insight into some of the Earth's first life forms and offer hope in the fight against global warming, the Max Planck Society said Thursday. The marine biologists and geologists think they have shown life could have existed by processing methane without the presence of oxygen. Their findings could prove useful in ridding the Earth of excess methane, one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.